Craftsman YS4500 Mower jerks into gear when releasing clutch to go forward or backward.

I'm new to the riding mower game and I recently purchased a Craftsman YS 4500 used mower (manual trans). The only issue I am having is when I slowly release the clutch to move forward or reverse the mower engages very hard. If I'm not super easy releasing the clutch it really jerks when engaging the transmission. Any thought or ideas to lead me in the right direction would be appreciated.

Hello M.,

Welcome to the forum.

Whenever you ask for help, make sure you give us the product label information off of the chassis. If the question is related to the engine, we will need the label info for that as well.

Not all of these riders are built the same.

This model is bad about excess buildup on top of a cross-frame plate in the middle of the mower chassis. The deck has to be pulled out of the way and then the area cleaned out.

Make sure to check the tensioner and idler pullies and replace them along with the belt if needed.

Auto Doc's said:

Hello M.,

Welcome to the forum.

Whenever you ask for help, make sure you give us the product label information off of the chassis. If the question is related to the engine, we will need the label info for that as well.

Not all of these riders are built the same.

This model is bad about excess buildup on top of a cross-frame plate in the middle of the mower chassis. The deck has to be pulled out of the way and then the area cleaned out.

Make sure to check the tensioner and idler pullies and replace them along with the belt if needed.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, The belt looks almost new but I haven't checked the tensioner or idler pullies. Just with a visual inspection they look good but I will put my hand on them tomorrow to make sure. Here is a picture of the product label. Thanks!!!

Never owned one but I'd start by looking over the manual including adjustments. It appears there are two clutch mechanisms. One for the mower and one for the blades.

sgkent said:

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/manual/3kv37v4b2s-000247/craftsman-917288210-front-engine-lawn-tractor-parts

Never owned one but I'd start by looking over the manual including adjustments. It appears there are two clutch mechanisms. One for the mower and one for the blades.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link to the manual. I printed out the pages dealing with the adjustments and will dig into is ASAP.

Lower engine RPM before engaging the drive. This is a manual geared transaxle that will accelerate to full speed of the selected gear ratio very quickly. There is no in between slippage like hydro statics. Same thing applies to automobiles with straight shift transmissions. automatics slip initially engaging due fluid pressures are low to turn inter workings. Even hydrostatic can accelerate quickly if at full engine speed setting; its just that manuals are a lot quicker.

And depending on the drivetrain setup you might be shift on the go or not.

One other thing that can be a problem is the use of a raw edge belt instead of a cloth covered clutching belt. But there is no getting around the fact that a manual isn't going to operate like a hydrostatic.